Lenny Henry mocks Justin Trudeau's 'brownface' scandal
Lenny Henry has poked fun at the Canadian Prime Minister’s “brownface” scandal, introducing himself at an event by introducing himself on stage as Justin Trudeau.
Trudeau found himself in hot water after a yearbook photograph surfaced showing him in “brownface” make-up at an Arabian Nights costume party in 2001.
Henry, 61, could not resist having a little dig about the incident when he appeared at a Royal Television Society event.
The Metro reported that the comedian was due to speak about diversity in the industry at the event.
"Nice to see you. I am Justin Trudeau. I'll be answering your questions any minute now," he said, to laughs.
Exclusive: Justin Trudeau wore brownface at 2001 ‘Arabian Nights’ party while he taught at a private school, Canada's Liberal Party admits https://t.co/j3UobfYNIF
— TIME (@TIME) September 18, 2019
The photo of Prime Minister Trudeau, taken at the private school where he was teaching at the time, was published by Time magazine this week.
Read more: Lenny Henry calls for more diversity in the arts
The politician was dressed as a character from Aladdin at the bash.
Apologising, he told reporters: “I’m p***** off at myself. I’m disappointed in myself.
“I should have known better then, but I didn’t, and I am deeply sorry for it.”
“I’m going to ask Canadians to forgive me for what I did,” he added.
“I shouldn’t have done that. I take responsibility for it. It was a dumb thing to do.”
Read more: Sarah Silverman lost role because of blackface sketch
Two other similar incidents have also come to light and Trudeau has said he cannot say how often he wore the make-up.
He told journalists: “I am wary of being definitive about this because of the recent pictures that came out, I had not remembered.”
Trudeau’s bid for re-election is just a month away.
